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(Newser)
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Barack Obama was surprised last week when a buddy from back in the days when he was called Barry got in touch. Keith Kakugawa, recently released from prison for his third drug conviction and living in a car, called the senator's cell phone to ask for help.

After a conversation Kakugawa described as "short, sweet and to the point," Obama directed Kakugawa to a campaign worker, who in turn recommended social-service agency help. Disappointed in not scoring cash, Kakugawa complained to Jackie Calms that "everybody's just abandoned me." But later, he pleaded in an email: "Please dont put Sen. Obama in a bad light 4 knowing me."